U.S. patent application number 11/635257 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for conveying installation and method of placing a conveying installation in operation.
Invention is credited to Erich Tschuemperlin.
Application Number | 20070080026 11/635257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36933348 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070080026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tschuemperlin; Erich |
April 12, 2007 |
Conveying installation and method of placing a conveying
installation in operation
Abstract
A method for placing a conveying installation in operation, the
conveying installation including several components, wherein at
least one conveying mechanism, an installation control and a drive
are included. A control program suitable for different installation
controls contains different control functions. The control program
is executed in the installation control for operation of the
conveying installation. The method including the steps of:
activating the conveying installation; recognizing identification
numbers of components of the conveying installation; checking
whether the recognized identification numbers belong to permitted
component combinations; recognizing the installation control type;
activating the different control functions in the control program
in dependence on the recognized installation control type; and
releasing the conveying installation for operation.
Inventors: |
Tschuemperlin; Erich;
(Kriens, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Klaus P. Stoffel;Wolff & Samson PC
One Boland Drive
West Orang
NJ
07052
US
|
Family ID: |
36933348 |
Appl. No.: |
11/635257 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
187/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66B 1/34 20130101; G06F
9/4411 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
187/247 |
International
Class: |
B66B 1/28 20060101
B66B001/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 12, 2005 |
EP |
05111789.3 |
Claims
1. A method of starting a conveying installation which comprises
several components including at least one conveying means, an
installation control and a drive, wherein a control program
suitable for different installation controls contains different
control functions, wherein the control program for operating the
conveying installation is executed in the installation control, the
method comprising the steps of: activating the conveying
installation; recognizing identification numbers of components of
the conveying installation; checking whether the recognized
identification numbers belong to a permitted component combination;
recognizing the installation control type; activating the different
control functions in the control program in dependence on the
recognized installation control type; and releasing the conveying
installation for operation.
2. The method according to claim 1, including loading drivers for
the control functions into the installation control in dependence
on the activated control functions.
3. The method according to claim 1, including, after recognition of
the installation control type, checking which control program is
stored in the installation control and whether the storage control
program is valid for the recognized component combination, wherein
the conveying installation is released when component combinations
and control functions are permissible.
4. The method according to claim 1, including reactivating the
conveying installation after an updating of components or control
functions.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conveying
installation is an elevator installation.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conveying
installation is an escalator.
7. A conveying installation comprising several components,
including at least one conveying means, an installation control and
a drive, the installation control having a predetermined functional
scope, wherein for operating the conveying installation a control
program suitable for different installation controls and containing
different control functions is executable in the installation
control, wherein the components of the conveying installation have
identification numbers and there is recognition of the
identification numbers of the activated components when the
conveying installation is activated, the control program including
a list for checking whether the recognized identification numbers
belong to a permitted component combination, and an installation
control type being settable in dependence on the recognized
identification numbers in the control program, and the control
functions contained in the control program being activatable in
dependence on the installation control type, wherein checking is
provided as to whether the recognized component combination
corresponds with the activated control functions, and the conveying
installation being released when the component combination and the
activated control functions correspond.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a conveying installation and a
method for placing a conveying installation in operation.
[0002] Conveying installations consist of a plurality of different
components. Numbering amongst these is, in particular, a conveying
means, for example an elevator or an escalator. Moreover, a drive
for the conveying means and an installation control are provided.
Communications and safety components are optionally arranged. A
control program is executed in the installation control for control
of the conveying installation. The installation control has
different functions.
[0003] Hitherto, in the case of placing a conveying installation in
operation, the control program inclusive of the required drivers
and functions was activated by way of parameter settings. These
parameter settings are stored in the installation control.
Alternatively, these parameter settings are created at the time of
configuration at the manufacturer and loaded into the control. It
is also possible to input the parameters manually at the
installation control in order to thus activate and set the control
program for the installation control.
[0004] In order to keep the development cost for control programs
low, it is conventional to use one control program for one kind of
conveying installation. Thus, for example, a common control program
is employed for different elevator installation controls. A further
common control program is employed for different escalator
controls. Elevator installations have to have many different
functions. In that case it is not necessary to realize all possible
functions in the individual cases of use. However, the control
program is also designed for the purpose of being able to control
an elevator installation in which all possible functions are
realized. As an example of a simple realization of a conveying
installation there may be cited a freight elevator moved between
only two storeys. The control outlay in this case is low. In the
case of a passenger elevator in a high-rise building the control
outlay is substantially higher. A passenger elevator of that kind
has, for example, an elevator call control. In addition, safety
circuits are required. Air-conditioning of the elevator cages can
optionally be present.
[0005] It was thus past practice to use a common control program
for a conveying installation regardless of which functions were or
were not realized in the conveying installation. Setting of the
functions in the control program needed for the individual
conveying installation was, as explained above, fixed on the basis
of parameters which were either programmed at a manufacturer or had
to be manually input when the conveying installation was placed in
operation.
[0006] Due to the multiplicity of different installation control
types with different functions in a conveying installation it is,
however, always important to recognize the correct installation
control type and activate the correct functions for the respective
conveying installation. Installation control types of that kind
have different complexity depending on the respective outlay. For
example, an installation control for the above-mentioned freight
elevator does not have to be in a position of controlling an
air-conditioning plant. An installation control for the
above-mentioned passenger elevator is, thereagainst, substantially
more complex in its functional scope.
[0007] The different installation control types can be operated
only with the matching control program, wherein the large number of
possible functions can lead to erroneous configurations, since
there are dependencies between the individual functions in the
control program and components of a conveying installation. The
presence of numerous functions in the control program and numerous
parameters does, however, also require many regulations. These
represent sources of error. Thus, a conveying installation in which
only a few or no parameters have to be set is a more reliable
conveying installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is accordingly the object of the present invention to
provide a method and a device making it possible, in the case of a
specific component combination of a conveying installation, to
recognize the installation control type and, depending on the
installation control type, to activate the correct control
functions corresponding with these component combinations. Control
functions suitable for non-installed component combinations must
remain deactivated.
[0009] The invention is based on the recognition that with
self-recognition of the components of a conveying installation the
error source of manual input is excluded. Thus, a device according
to the invention is safer and less susceptible to error. Moreover,
an additional risk of a hardware conflict in the case of components
not matching one another in the installed component combination is
reduced, whereby the safety risk is diminished. Safety risks are
not acceptable in, in particular, the realm of conveying
installations, to which elevator installations and escalators
belong.
[0010] The method guarantees that only the control functions of the
control program intended for a specific component combination are
executed in the elevator control.
[0011] Control programs are subject to constant development.
Individual functions of conveying installations are developed,
whereby it is necessary to adapt the control functions in the
control program to the new components and in a given case to also
change the drivers for drive control of the new components. In this
connection it is enormously important that in the case of an update
of a driver in the installation control this driver is loaded into
the installation control of the conveying installation and executed
by this only when this driver was also intended for the
installation control and tested.
[0012] According to the invention it is proposed that the
components of the conveying installation have identification
numbers which are recognized on activation of the conveying
installation. By virtue of the recognized identification number it
is established whether the recognized identification numbers belong
to a permitted component combination. Only if the recognized
identification numbers belong to a permitted component combination
is there a decision therefrom as to which installation control type
is present. If identification numbers are recognized which belong
to no permitted component combination, placing of the conveying
installation into operation is interrupted. The permitted component
combinations are combinations of components for which there is
present an installation control type in a position to control these
components. Tables can be created to list and illustrate the
permitted component combinations for each installation control
type.
[0013] After it has been recognized which installation control type
is present the recognized installation control type is set in the
control program. The different control functions in the control
program are activated in dependence on the recognized installation
control type. Only thereafter does release of the conveying
installation take place.
[0014] In a special embodiment of the invention it is provided that
only the drivers for the control functions which were previously
also activated as control functions are loaded into the
installation control. This ensures that only the correct drivers
are loaded into the installation control.
[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according
to the invention it is checked after setting of the installation
control type whether the recognized component combination
corresponds with the activated control functions. The information
with regard to which installation control types the control program
with the activated control functions is released is contained in
the control program. The conveying installation is released only
when the component combinations and the control functions are
permissible, i.e. when the component combinations are in a position
of executing these control functions. Tables can be created to list
and illustrate the permitted control functions for each
installation type.
[0016] In a further advantageous method of the invention the
conveying installation is reactivated after release of the
conveying installation. Loading of the updated drivers is ensured
by this restarting of the conveying installation.
[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the conveying
installation is an elevator installation. In an alternative
embodiment of the invention the conveying installation is an
escalator.
[0018] The invention is also fulfilled by a conveying installation
with several components, wherein at least one conveying means, an
elevator control and a drive are arranged and the installation
control has a predetermined functional scope. For operating the
conveying installation, a control program suitable for different
installation controls and containing different control functions
can be executed in the installation control. The components of the
conveying installation have identification numbers and in the case
of activation of the conveying installation there is recognition of
the identification numbers of the activated components. Present in
the control program is a list for checking whether the recognized
program numbers belong to a permitted component combination and an
installation control type can be set in the control program in
dependence on the recognized identification numbers. The control
functions contained in the control program are activatable in
dependence on the installation control type. A check is provided as
to whether the recognized component combination corresponds with
the activated control functions and the conveying installation can
be released if the combination and the activated control function
correspond.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of the invention
that refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention is explained in more detail in the following
by way of examples of embodiment illustrated schematically in the
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic layout of a control program with
different control functions, according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the components of
an elevator control according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for placing a conveying
installation in operation; and
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a table of the relevant component combinations
for recognition of each installation control type.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 shows the modular layout of a control program 11 in
which different control functions 12 to 18 are implemented. Each
control function 12 to 18 is responsible for a specific function of
the conveying installation. The control function 12 is responsible
for the drive control of user interfaces in the conveying
installation. The control function 13 serves for monitoring and the
input and output control of parameters and operating magnitudes at
external and internal components. The control function 14 takes
over the function I/O Plug & Play, for example the
air-conditioning of one or more elevator cages. The control
function 15 controls a chipcard reader. The control function 16
takes over a subgroup control for parts of an elevator
installation. The control function 17 serves for supply of data
picked up by means of, for example, sensors, of an elevator shaft.
The control function 18 controls the spacing control between cages
and shaft. Another important function is, for example, control of
the safety circuit.
[0026] Different installation control types are illustrated in the
individual modules or control functions 12-18. It can be seen that
different settings for the control functions 12-18 are required in
the control program 11 for the different installation control types
TXR5, TX-GC, MX-GC, MX-GC2, TX GC2_EUAP, TX GC2_NA and GX-GC. Thus,
it can be recognized that in, for example, the control function 14,
which is responsible for air-conditioning of the conveying
installation, no air-conditioning is provided for a control TXR5.
In the case of another installation control type, for example MX-GC
2, air-conditioning is provided for each elevator cage. In a
further installation control type GX-GC a group air-conditioning of
several elevator cages is provided. Similarly, in the case of the
control function 15 for the chipcard reader it is recognizable that
different chipcard reading apparatus are used for different
installation control types. It is thus recognizable in the case of,
for example, the control TX-GC that no chipcard reader is required.
Settings for the chipcard reader are required for, in particular,
the installation control MX-GC. It is readily apparent that due to
the multiplicity of different installation control types great care
must be taken in the activation of the individual control functions
12-18 or also the control modules in order to avoid safety
risks.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic illustration, the different
components of an installation control 20. The modules 21-23 are
communications modules of the elevator control. The elevator
control 20 contains a microprocessor 24 having an I.sup.2C
functionality 28. Identification numbers 29 at the individual
components 21-27, which are stored in EEPROM memory modules of the
individual components 21 to 27, are read out at the individual
components 21-27 by way of this I.sup.2C bus. The identification
numbers 29 are characterised by address position A0 to A2. A
sufficient number of different identification numbers can be
provided by the provision of 3 bits. FIG. 2 shows the layout of a
TX-GC installation control.
[0028] One component 25 serves for the safety feed or supply. A
further component 26 serves for the safety control. In addition, a
brake control 27 is provided.
[0029] A flow chart illustrated in FIG. 3 shows the sequence of a
method according to the invention. In step S30 the method for
placing a conveying installation in operation is started. After the
installation was activated, the components of the installation are
recognized in step S31 in that the stored identification numbers 29
of the installed components 21-27 are read by the microprocessor 24
by way of the I.sup.2C bus. In step 32 it is checked whether the
recognized component combination represents a valid component
combination.
[0030] The permitted or valid component combinations are
combinations of components for which there is present an
installation control type in a position of controlling these
components. A table listing, for each installation control type,
the permitted component combinations is stored in the control
software. The control software can thus recognize whether the
detected component combination is valid and permitted. Such a table
is similar to the table illustrated in FIG. 4, which, however, only
lists the relevant component combinations for recognition of each
installation control type. When the control software detects the
component combinations listed in FIG. 4, the control software can
assign the combination to a specific installation control type. A
specific installation control type can, however, also control many
other permitted and valid component combinations, which have not
been listed in FIG. 4.
[0031] If no valid component combination is illustrated, a
communication to the service engineer is issued by way of a display
device in step S39, S41. If a valid component combination is
present, it is checked in step S33 which control program is stored
in the installation control, in a further step S34 it is checked
whether this software or the control program for the individually
recognized component combination is released. If it is the
incorrect control program, a communication is issued by way of a
display device in steps S40, S41. If the control program for this
component combination is released, the components of the elevator
installation are updated in step S35 insofar as this is required.
Thereafter, the conveying installation is restarted in step S36 so
as to enable correct starting of all control functions, drivers and
components. In step 37 the conveying installation is ready for use.
The program for placing in operation is concluded by step S38.
[0032] Thus, a conveying installation and a method for placing a
conveying installation in operation are provided in which it is
ensured that only the control program which is also released for
the installation control type is executed on the elevator control.
Moreover, a common control program for different installation
control types can thus be used, wherein then different development
versions of the control program are tested and released only for
specific installation control types. Thus, for a plurality of
different installation control types there exists only a single
control program which can be developed centrally, whereby the error
search in the control program can be simplified and new control
functions can be developed for all installation control types.
Through use of version or generation numbers for the control
program and the control functions it can be established simply and
automatically when placing in operation whether the generation of a
control program can be used for an installation control type, since
the control program contains information on which installation
control types it may be able to be executed.
[0033] Activation of control functions in the control program for
non-installed components is thus excluded. Moreover, availability
of untested or undesired control functions in an impermissible
installation control type is prevented, which would otherwise
create a safety risk. The method according to the invention ensures
that the check which installation control type is incorporated in
the conveying installation is determined exclusively on the basis
of the installed components. No interaction by a service engineer
is required.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present
invention be limited but by the specific disclosure herein, but
only by the appended claims.
* * * * *